Saudi Arabia’s poultry import ban sparks concerns in Middle East

Poultry exporters in various Middle Eastern nations are sounding alarms as Saudi Arabia’s recent ban on poultry imports threatens their business operations.

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority implemented a complete ban on raw poultry and table eggs from 40 countries starting March 1, aimed at controlling the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Notable affected countries include India, China, Germany, and Indonesia, while partial restrictions are in place for select regions in 16 additional nations, such as the United States, France, and Canada.

Saudi Arabia predominantly sources its poultry from Brazil, accounting for approximately 70% of deliveries in 2025. Other significant suppliers include the UAE, Russia, Ukraine, and Egypt.

Concerns from Egyptian Exporters

Saudi Arabia’s new restrictions have drawn criticism from neighboring countries. Abdel Aziz El-Sayed, from the Cairo Chamber of Commerce, expressed confusion over Egypt’s inclusion on the restricted list, asserting that its poultry exports originate from well-guarded commercial farms resistant to bird flu. These facilities are prepared for inspections by Saudi authorities, he added.

Addressing the apparent inconsistency, El-Sayed pointed out that larger exporters like Brazil and Ukraine remain unaffected, despite the latter’s ongoing armed conflict, which raises questions about its sanitary standards.

While Egyptian poultry farmers primarily cater to domestic markets, their ability to export—particularly to Saudi Arabia—is crucial for generating foreign currency. This is essential for importing vital feed ingredients like corn and soybeans, as highlighted by El-Sayed.

Potential Market Implications

From the perspective of the Indian poultry sector, the ban is expected to have minimal repercussions. Suresh Chitturi, managing director of Srinivasa Farms, indicated that India exports only modest quantities of poultry to Saudi Arabia.

However, the broad nature of these restrictions suggests that they may serve a dual purpose: protecting the domestic poultry industry and influencing the broader market landscape rather than being solely a health-oriented initiative.